Pioneering plant-based cookery school and charity, Made in Hackney has spent over 13 years inspiring thousands of people to grow, cook and eat more plants through its award-winning community programs. We Cook Plants, is Made in Hackney’s debut book: a vibrant, heartfelt collection of over 100 delicious plant-based recipes and a modern-day manual that champions practical, sustainable growing and cooking; an anti-racist approach to food; and the transformational power of community.
Packed with nourishing meals, comforting classics, and global flavours, We Cook Plants features recipes contributed by Made in Hackney’s diverse team of community chefs, volunteers, and supporters – including guest recipes from well-known names such as Anna Jones, Andi Oliver, Sami Tamimi, Dr Rupy, Sandor Katz and many more – as well as conservations with change makers such as Anna Sulan Masing, Aja Barber, Nova Reid, FatGayVegan, Earthling Ed, Rose Eskafi, Poppy Okotcha and Yazzie Min.
Like a Made in Hackney lesson, the book is packed with practical advice such as plant-based nutrition; kitchen countertop food growing; foraging in urban environments; reducing food waste; fermentation skills and so much more. A joyful and compassionate book that tackles big topics like organic versus regenerative farming, what’s really causing hunger, how to decolonise the food system and the difference between culinary appropriation and appreciation. The book is beautifully designed with neurodiversity-friendly recipe layouts and easy to use icons to help you find budget, one pot, high in protein, gut-friendly or speedy recipes.
Recipes in the book include main dishes such as Oliver’s Phish, Chips and Tartar sauce and Flo’s Afghan-Style Bean Curry; side dishes such as Sareta’s Beetroot and Cabbage Thoran and Hannah’s Carrot Top Chimichurri; and sweet dishes such as Emel’s Baklava and Rachel’s Choc Avo Nice Cream with Strawberry Sauce.
We Cook Plants is available from Waterstones for £30. All royalties from the book support Made in Hackney’s vital community work, including free meal deliveries to food insecure households and life changing cooking courses across the capital for systematically marginalised groups.
Get a taster of the book by trying recipes for Yasmin’s Squash, Lentil and Apricot One-Pot Stew, Sareta’s Ocean Cakes and Niki’s Lentil and Sweet Potato Cottage Pie shared on the Meat Free Monday website courtesy of Made in Hackney and Watkins.
For your chance to win a copy of We Cook Plants, simply complete the form below. The prize draw closes at 23:59 (BST) on Monday 20 October, 2025.